I was interested in following up on some of the questions from class today.
1st Question:
Why do churches not pay taxes? Such as property taxes. - I chatted with Pastor today about this question and he said we follow the law of the land. If it were changed we would pay taxes. Any thoughts?

Another question was... What do we do in between our death and the Lord's 2nd coming? Again, I spoke with Pastor about this question. Remember the thief on the cross when Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise." The thief died and was with Jesus in paradise that same day because of his belief. Do you have other verses to share? When Jesus returns believers will experience a re-creation and receive new bodies. Verses you know regarding this?

And a final excellent question... How do we obey ungodly leaders that are doing things against God, His law, and human life? The example was given of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Excellent question and I'm sure you all have some insightful wisdom to share.

Not only are churches exempt from taxes, but so are all non-profit organizations. That is those organizations that engage in activities for both public and private interest without trying to make a profit. Any income that exceeds expenses must be turned over to organizations or individuals who are legally recognized as charities. If a nonprofit conducts activities that end up with a variance (profit), they must pay income taxes. For example, if our men's group decides to go into the construction business, and build outdoor patios with the intention of splitting the profits among the men so that they can go to a Seahawks
game, that income would be taxable. But if the profit is placed back in a fund to support a youth pastor at church, it is not taxable.

Certainly, there are questionable "non-profits" out there that should probably be scrutinized. I think we can expect more scrutiny in the future as the tax law is reviewed. Although the non-profit lobby is very strong in Washington, D.C., (for example, with all the projected changes in tax law, it appears that charitable contributions will continue to be deductible on our taxes), there are probably some who feel that giving non-profits a tax break is unconstitutional because it means that government is essentially helping underwrite charities. Stay tuned.

Jesus said to the thief, "Today, you will be with me in paradise." That makes it pretty clear that when we die, our spirit will either go somewhere. Where our spirit goes depends on our faith in Christ. However, the body is still here - in a grave on the hillside, or in an urn on someone's mantle. I recall that the concept of time is something we are locked into as humans. At death, our spirits enter God's kingdom that is not constrained by time. The Bible has several references to our bodies sleeping after death, only to be raised from death at the last trumpet call:

(Daniel 12:2 "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."

Mark 5:39 "[Jesus] went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.'"

John 11:11 "After [Jesus] had said this, he went on to tell them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.'"

Acts 13:36 "Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep."

1 Corinthians 15:6 "After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep." Note that Jesus can still appear in front of us, even if we are dead in our graves!